neoconvoy

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I guess some of you might have noticed there are no updates for a while. My desktop PC has decided to go into retirement. It's been with me for I think 3-4 years, and before that not too sure how long with my brother. So I guess it was about time. It's been giving me so much problems trying to get it to start up, and from hanging up once I got into the system.

The good news is I just managed to purchase a new laptop (HP DV5 1036TX) from SITEX 2008 over the weekend (though my heart was itching to get the HDX-16 with full HD). The bad news is there is no stock, and I might have to wait for another 2 weeks.

So, keep buying friends, and I'll be back sometime in mid December 2008 !

Monday, November 03, 2008

Movie Masters The Dark KnightWent down to Vivocity to visit a camera shop to redeem some freebies, but went there a bit too late, and they were closed. So decided to pop in the Toys R Us there, and surprised to find another Gotham City Thug with a mask that I do not have. And the cool thing is this is the mask the Joker wore at the Bank heist.Previous haul.

Transformers CustomPicked up another cool custom by FansProject, the people who gave us the TFX-01 City Commander. This is a gas/petrol can/container that can transform into a big gun, suitable for Bineltechs/Alternators. It was created for Optimus Prime SRT-10. The Matrix of Leadership fits nicely into the figure.

MacrossAnd finally haul the 1/60 Destroid Tomahawk back, and surprisingly in a smaller and compact packaging. Thanks to Yamato for being environment friendly by reducing the unnecessary large empty spaces in their previous packaging. I think all other Japanese companies should follow suit.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

I was visiting my sister and her kids, and Konrad, the eldest son showed me what he had borrowed recently from the library - a couple of Transformers Spotlight comics from IDW publishing - Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, Hot Rod, Kup, Sixshot and Nighbeat.

What caught my attention was the artwork on Kup - rough, sketchy and stylized - something that I liked. So I told him once he is finished with the book, to lend it to me and I will return for him. Now I will need to buy this comic.

He was the one who actually got me back to the library, and I am also glad I have made him a Transformer fan. I am still looking for a reasonably priced G1 Sixshot.

After picking up the first volume of Flight, an anthology of independent comics, I have since picked up every single volume they have dished out. Reason is these short stories are a great read, something different from the current mainstream comics, and the artwork are also amazing. If you are looking for something different, Flight is the one for you.

Here are some samples from Vol 4, which I picked up from the local library. I have also included the short writeup of the artist from the book.

The Window Makers - Kazu KibuishiKazu Kibuishi is the editor and art director of Flight: Volume Four. He is laso the creator of Copper, Daisy Kutter and the upcoming graphic novel series Amulet. He lives and works in Alhambra, California, with his wife and fellow comic artist Amy Kim Ganter. [www.boltcity.com]

What I liked about this story is the message it is bringing to the audience, neatly summarised in the above word bubble.

Igloo Head and Tree Head - Scott CampbellScott Campbell, aka ScottC, is a regular contributer to Hickee comics and has appeared in a number of other comics anthologies over the years. Pyramid Car and Advanced Talk are sweet comics by ScottC. he does a comic every morning at work and puts it here: www.doublefine.com. At Double Fine he designs video games like Psychonauts. Other times, he paints. [www.scott-c.blogspot.com]

I like the style and the story.

Roomie-Pal ! - Graham AnnableEnjoying life with his wife in Portland, Oregon, Graham Annable is the creator behind the Grickle books and Stickleback, and editor and contributor of the Hickee anthology. [www.grickle.com]

This shows how simple stick figures and facial expressions can convey expressions and mood.

Tripod - Bannister and Joel CarrollBannister was born in 1973 in France. He currently lives near the Alps with his lovely girlfriend and no pets. His new story, Les Enfants d'Ailleurs, was published in January 2007 (Dupuis Publishing). He has collaborated on many projects both in Europe and overseas. [www.bannister.fr]

I like the artwork, and it feels quite dynamic.

The Storm - Pascal CampionPascal Campion comes from the south of France where he spent a good deal of his time riding his bike around. After going to art school in the northern part of France, he decided one day to try the United States to see what it would be like. He never went back. He now lives in beautiful San Francisco with his lovely wife and their dog, where he still enjoys riding his bike up and down the hills, and enjoys all the Indian food he can find.

The artwork, colours and sequence brings the story to live, without the use of dialogue.

Bigwheels - Ovi NedelcuOvi Nedelcu is the creator of Pigtale and currently works at Laika Studios. He balances working in print and animation. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wift and two kids. Ovi believes in three things: God, love and human stupidity. [www.ovinedelcu.com and www.pigtalecomic.com]

I had seen Ovi's artwork before, and I think his style is great - clean lines and stylized.

To Grandma's - Clio ChangClio Chang is from Vancouver, British Columbia, where she is currently a working stiff in the animation industry on such shows as Pucca and Ricky Sprocket. She enjoys free time, green tea, and cooking. Occasionally she posts scribblings at www.cliochiang.com.

I do not quite understand the story, but her style is used very much in current animation. Nice facial expressions and poses.

Cortina - Fabio MoonFabio Moon is the author, with his twin brother, of Ursula and De:TALES, and he makes comics and tells stories all day long. He also loves to dance. He reads less than he wants to and writes less than he should. [www.10paezinhos.com.br]

A simple story, with great art.

Twenty-four Hours - Andrea OffermannAfter two terrifying years at med school, Andrea Offermann found refuge at an art school and started by learning how to sharpen a pencil. Five years later she prefers pen and ink but is till in love with art of any kind. [www.andreaoffermann.com]

I chose this panel to show the line work and perspective.

The Perfect Spot - Phi CravenPhil Craven is from Georgia. He lives in California. He draws storyboards at DreaWorks animation. He eats cereal and draws some more comics.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Looks like Grimlock will come with a crown, a brain wave transfer device from the G1 season 3 cartoon episode "Grimlock's New Brain", a waiter's mode from the G1 season 3 episode "Mad Man's Paradise", a light up sword, and articulated dino-mode front limbs and a little articulated tail as well.

Friday, October 31, 2008

It's been quite some time since I last visited the library. Today I ran some errands near the Woodlands library and decided to pop in.

52 The Covers - a collection of all 52 series covers, including collections, unused covers. Each cover's conceptualization is briefly explained, with preliminary sketches on one page, and the final cover on the other.

Essential Amazing Spider-man Vol 2 - I could not find volume 1, so just start with volume 2.

Flight Volume 4 - collection of the finest independent artworks from various artists. Do check out the other volumes. The latest as of this posting is Volume 5.

Got this from Comics Connection. It is made in China, and costs only S$2.50. I am not sure if the cashier punched in the correct code, as he was checking with other stores. I thought it might ring up something around S$10.I picked this up because I need to compete with shaun, who bought a folding chair.

PackageIgnore the Re-ment on the left.

ContentsThe legs are made of stainless steel, and comes with plastic/rubber covers at each end.

Chair Shots

Demo with 1/6 figureKeroro-chan will demo how the chair fits with 1/6th figures.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Transformers UniversePicked up Classic Ironhide after checking with shaun if it will be released in later waves. Turns out it will not be, so better get them while you can (besides the Henkei version).

Star Wars ChubbySo cute. Got the Leia, Trooper and Ewok version.

Re-ment and miscPicked up a randow Re-ment Airline Food and 1/6th designer chair.